Hollow tile for building purposes



June 17, 1930. F. KOCH 1,764,798

HOLLOW TILE FOR BUILDING. PURPOSES Filed Oct. l, 1928 n in 6 Twig 77002,

Patented June 17, 1930 FRITZ KOCH., OF ST.

PAUL, MINNESOTA HOLLOW TILE 4FR BUILDING PLURPOSES Application led October 1, 1528. Serial No. 309,516.

In buildings where hollow tiles of the type in common use are exposed it has been found that the mortar between the tiles is a constant source of trouble. The mortar adjoin- 5 ing outer surfaces and at the ends of the tiles is insecure and is often displaced into the hollow interior because the end surfaces are small in area. rlhe joints are particularly weak where the outer surface of the structure is pointed or where, for any reason, it is impractical to allow7 the mortar to protrude from the finished surface. These defects have made it impractical in the past to use hollow tile where it is exposed to wear or to the ele ments.

The object of this invention is to so form a hollow tile that a building constructed therefrom is strengthened and made more durable without substantially increasing its cost.

A further obj ect is to provide a hollow tile which ,is adapted for use in the construction of an exterior or exposed portion of a build ing and to be pointed and re-pointed without re-laying. Other objects will appear and be more fully` pointed out in the following` specification and claims.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the best form of my device at present known to me, Figure l is an isometric view of a portion of a wall constructed from my improved tile and partially in vertical section; Fig. 2 is a typical horizontal section through a joint taken ou the line 22 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a vertical section'taken on the line 3-3 of F ig. 2 and Fig. 4 is a typical vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. j

My improved tiles, indicated by the numeral 5, are substantially rectangular, being adapted to be laid in the usual manner and secured together by layers of mortar 6 between rows and mortar 7 applied to the adjoining ends of the individual tiles. Tubular openings 8 extend longitudinally through the tiles so as to communicate one with another at the adjoining ends when the tiles are embodied in a wall or other building structure. Thus it will be seen that the .end surfaces to which the mortar 7 is applied are small in area and in the absence of special provision for increasing the strength the joints formedV by the mortar 7 are relatively weak.

l have found that these relatively weak joints are great-ly strengthened and made durable by tor-ming longitudinally `extending Vribs 9 upon the interior surfaces and projecting into the tubular openings 8.v The sides of these ribs 9 are preferably under-cut or of `reentrant form so as to positively interlock with projections 10 upon the mortar 7 of the` 69 end joints. In laying la wall or other structure with my improved tiles, the mason applies the mortar 6 and 7 in the usual manner and then while such Inortaris in plastic state the ends of an adjoiningpair of tiles are pressed together, in accordance with the common practice. This causes the mortar to protrude longitudinally of the tiles, as indicated at 10 in Figs. 2, 3 and 4:, within the openings 8 and also upon the exterior of the joints. j The ends of the ribs in one :tile .register withthose in the adjacent tiles so that when the mortar sets a short, rigid body is left prot-ruding'at` each side ofthe joint into thegro oves between ribs 9. lVhere it is desired to have the tiles l 7 5 exposed uponan interior or exterior surface l1 of the building the mortar joints 6 and 7 may be pointed up after removingthe protruding portions of the mortar upon the said surface 1l. V

1When the mortar of the projections 10 has set and yhardened it has been found that the corresponding joints vhave ample strength byreason of my` arrangement of the ribs 9 which positively interlock with the mor- 85 tar between them. -Theribs 9 also increase the end area of the tiles for adhesion to the mortar and this further adds to the strength of the joint and increases the amount of mortar which is caused to protrude in the lock- 9c ing` grooves. It will be evident that forces tending to displace the mortar 7 inward from the front surface 11 are opposed by the pro jections 10 between the ribs 9 and outer walls of the tile. Thus the joints may be pointed 95 while the mortar is green without danger of displacing it into the hollow interior and where7 after use and exposure to the elements, the joints require re-pointing7 this may be readily done without the tearing 10G down and re-laying of the tiles that has been necessary heretofore.

My invention is particularly adapted for use upon tiles of the type formed bythe eX- truding process wherein a plastic mass of suitable clayey material is forced through a die to reduce it to tubular form, the soft tubular body being subsequent-ly cut into the desired short sections and then dried and baked at a high temperature. The oost of such tiles is not substantially increased by the forniation of the ribs 9 because they are produced by a simple change in the dies through which the plastic clay is extruded.

It Will be understood that the interior ribs lmay be formed upon any or all walls of .the

tile, but il prefer to form them only upon the inner surface of the Wall which is to be exposed or where increased strength at the joint is required.

Having described my invention what I. claim isnew and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: Y

1. A tile for building purposes comprising arectangular bodyv .of hollow tubular shape having a Wall adapted to be exposed on the exterior ol a building structure and formed with longitudinally extending ribs upon the interior of said wall, the sides of said ribs being of reentrant form to positively interlock with mortar applied to the ends of the tile.

Q. A tile for building purposes comprising a baked body of hollow tubular shape formed Ywith a longitudinally disposed interior ribs extending' to the ends thereof, the sides of Y said ribs being of reentrant forni to positively interlock with mortar applied to the ends of the tile. y

3.1-lollov7 tiles adapted to bevsecuredvtogether end to end by mortar applied to the f abutting 'ends,'eaeh comprising a body or tubular shape having a Wall adapted to be eX- posed on the exterior of a building structure and formed with longitudinally extending Y ribs upon the interior of said Wall, the ends ofv said ribs being arranged to register with the ribs in the adjacent tiles and the sides of Said kribs being of reentrant form to positively interlock with mortar applied to the ends of the tile.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my naine to this specification.

FRITZ K001i 

